Martinez, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 explicitly preempts all local breed-specific legislation. Martinez cannot and does not ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed. Dangerous dog determinations are behavior-based under California Food & Agricultural Code §31601-31683 and Contra Costa County Code. A dog may be declared 'potentially dangerous' if it engages in unprovoked aggressive behavior requiring defensive action, kills or injures a domestic animal off the owner's property, or bites a person causing minor injury. 'Vicious' designation applies to dogs that severely injure or kill a person or have prior potentially dangerous status with additional aggressive acts.

The designation process includes a hearing before a Contra Costa County hearing officer with notice to the owner. Requirements for potentially dangerous dogs include: secure enclosure, muzzling in public, posting 'Beware of Dog' signs, $100,000 liability insurance, microchipping, and spay/neuter. Vicious dog owners face the same requirements plus additional conditions and possible destruction orders. Violation of dangerous dog requirements is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail. Mandatory spay/neuter programs targeting specific breeds are allowed under CA Health & Safety Code §122331 but Martinez has not adopted one.